Power device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to a new power device. More specifically, it creates hydrogen from supplied water and electricity. The hydrogen is then used in combination with air in an electrolysis-electrical cell to produce electric power. All of this is accomplished by first storing the hydrogen in a storage tank or section furnished for such storage, then converting the electricity, via a power converter, to power. Additionally, the power device of the present invention has a special feature whereby the electric power is created from the hydrogen stored in the above mentioned metal alloy hydride storage tanks. The present invention primarily comprises the following four components: (1) an energy source (i.e., a photovoltaic array to convert solar energy to electrical power; a windmill to collect wind power and convert it to electrical power; etc.); (2) a compressor which supplies the electrolysis-fuel cell with oxygen and the hydrogen storage tank with hydrogen from the atmosphere; (3) a hydrogen storage device (i.e., a solid metallic alloy hydride which stores hydrogen through a reversible chemical process); and (4) a hydrogen consumption device (i.e., an electrolysis-fuel cell which consumes the hydrogen released from the tanks (using a heat exchange process) to provide electricity which powers a motor).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fuel cells and to a powerdevice for use in hydrogen powered cars. More specifically, the presentinvention discloses a novel power device which does not create anyenvironmentally polluting exhaust, and is extremely efficient, longlasting, quiet and inexpensive.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fuel cell device generates electricity directly from a fuel source,such as hydrogen gas, and an oxidant, such as oxygen or air. It does soby continuously changing the chemical energy of a fuel and oxidant toelectrical energy. Since the process does not "burn" the fuel to produceheat, the thermodynamic limits on efficiency are much higher than normalpower generation processes. In essence, the fuel cell consists of twocatalytic electrodes separated by an ion-conducting membrane. The fuelgas (e.g. hydrogen) is ionized on one electrode, and the hydrogen ionsdiffuse across the membrane to recombine with the oxygen ions on thesurface of the other electrode. If current is not allowed to run fromone electrode to the other, a potential gradient is built up to stop thediffusion of the hydrogen ions. Allowing some current to flow from oneelectrode to the other through an external load produces power.

The membrane separating the electrodes must allow the diffusion of ionsfrom one electrode to the other, but must keep the fuel and oxidantgases apart. It must also prevent the flow of electrons. Diffusion orleakage of the fuel or oxidant gases across the membrane leads toexplosions and other undesirable consequences. If electrons can travelthrough the membrane, the device is fully or partially shorted out, andthe useful power produced is eliminated or reduced. Ehrenberg et al.U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,574 discloses such a membrane which allows thediffusion of ions, but prevents both the flow of electrons and thediffusion of molecular gases. This membrane is also mechanically stable.

In constructing a fuel cell, it is particularly advantageous that thecatalytic electrodes be in intimate contact with the membrane material.This reduces the "contact resistance" that arises when the ions movefrom the catalytic electrode to the membrane and vice versa. Intimatecontact can be facilitated by incorporating the membrane material intothe catalytic electrodes. See Wilson and Gottsfeld J. Appl. Electrochem.22, 1-7 (1992)!

For reasons of chemical stability, fuel cells presently availabletypically use a fully fluorinated polymer such as Dupont NafionRegistered TM as the ion-conducting membrane. This polymer is veryexpensive to produce, which raises the cost of fuel cells to a levelthat renders them commercially unattractive.

Ion-conducting polymers are well known. (See Vincent, C. A., PolymerElectrolyte Reviews I, 1987). The known polymers are, for the most part,similar to sulfonated polystyrene because of the known ability ofsulfonated polystyrene to conduct ions. Unfortunately, uncrosslinked,highly sulfonated polystyrenes are unstable in the aqueous environmentof a fuel cell, and do not hold their dimensional shape.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,311 discloses that a porous polymer matrix may beimpregnated with an ion-conducting polymer to produce a fuel cellmembrane. However, the ion-conducting polymer must be dissolved in asolvent which "wets" the porous polymer. When the solvent evaporates,there is sufficient porosity remaining in the porouspolymer/ion-conducting polymer composite material that molecular oxygencan leak through to the fuel gas and result in an explosion.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,357 (Winkler) discloses a water purificationmembrane composed of block copolymers of sulfonated polyvinyl areneblock and alpha-olefin elastomeric blocks. In one example astyrene-iosprene-styrene triblock copolymer was selectivelyhydrogenated, then sulfonated using a premixed SO3/triethylphosphatereagent at 60° C. for 1.5 hrs. A sulfonated styrene-(ethylene-propylene)copolymer was the result. The method provided solid agglomerates of thepolymer which were rolled on a mill to remove water, swelled incyclohexane, slurried in an isopropyl alcohol/water mixture, andcoagulated in hot water. No membrane was produced, and we have foundthat polymers produced according to the method of Winkler cannot be castinto films.

Gray et al. Macromolecules 21, 392-397 (1988)! discloses astyrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer where the ion-conductingentity is a pendant short-chain of poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether(mPEG) complexed with LiCF3SO3 salt and connected through a succinatelinkage to a flexible connecting entity which is the butadiene block ofthe triblock copolymer. The ion-conducting entity in the butadiene blockis in the continuous phase of the polymer, and the areas populated bythe ion-conducting entities do not preferentially touch each other toform continuous ion-conducting domains. This morphology does notfacilitate the ion-conducting properties that are necessary for fuelcell operation. The styrene block functions only as a mechanical supportstructure for the polymer. Moreover, the molecular design chosen by Grayet al. is incompatible with the working environment of a fuel cell.Because the succinate linkage which joins the mPEG to the butadienebackbone and the ether linkages which join the ethylene oxide units aresubject to cleavage by acid hydrolysis, these linkages are unstable inthe low pH environment of a fuel cell even for short periods of time.

In the art of battery separators, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No.5,091,275, a number of porous polymers and filled polymer materials arewell known. The pores of these polymers and composite materials arefilled with, typically, a liquid electrolyte to conduct ions from oneelectrode to another in a battery. However, these battery separatormaterials allow the passage of gases, so that fuel cells made with themhave an unfortunate tendency to explode as the oxygen leaks into thehydrogen side of a fuel cell.

To be useful, the hydrogen gas produced must be stored for later use toprovide energy when needed. The production of hydrogen from watergenerally consists of transmitting electrical energy to electrodeswithin an electrolyzer to induce an electric potential difference whichdisassociates water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolyzer generallycontains pure water having as electrolyte of sodium hydroxide orpotassium hydroxide. These electrolytes are not destroyed nor do theyneed to be replenished during the operation of the electrolyzer. Thus,even though the electrolysis action (the producing of chemical changesby the passage of an electric current through an electrolyte (anonmetallic electric conductor in which current is carried by themovement of ions, or a substance that when dissolved in a suitablesolvent or when fused becomes an ionic conductor)) may take placeintermittently, the hydrogen produced can be maintained in storage andturned back into electrical energy (either by combustion or by use of afuel cell) when desired.

One of the more efficient electrolyzers presently available is a solidpolymer electrolyte ("SPE") unit. These units basically consist of twoelectrodes, an anode and a cathode, placed in a perfluorinated sulfonicacid polymer. The electrodes are connected through an external circuitto a power supply. Water is broken down at the anode into oxygen,hydrogen ions and electrons. The electrons flow through the externalcircuit to the cathode while the hydrogen ions flow through theelectrolytic polymer to the cathode where they combine with theelectrons and form hydrogen. The equations at the anode and cathode are:##EQU1## and the overall reaction is: ##EQU2## The by-product of thisprocess is an effluent containing trace hydrofluoric acid, oxygen gasand excess water.

SPE electrolyzers are one of the two main types of electrolyzersavailable. SPE electrolyzers are also known as PEM, or Proton ExchangeMembrane, for the way in which they split water. The other type, liquidelectrolyte ("LE") electrolyzers, uses as its electrolyte a strongacidic or basic solution, typically potassium hydroxide. However, thereare a number of advantages that an SPE electrolyzer has over LEelectrolyzers. The concentration of the solution in an LE electrolyzermust be maintained at a constant level for the electrolytic reaction totake place, while SPE electrolyzers maintain constant concentration overtheir life. SPE electrolyzers are also safer, since they do not requirea supply of a strong highly corrosive basic solution as do LEelectrolyzers.

The hydrogen gas thus produced is a storable, transportable, clean, andnon-polluting fuel. However, hydrogen has the fundamental limitation ofbeing difficult to store. Hydrogen has a boiling point of -252.87° C.and a density of 0.09 grams per liter. This means that in order to storehydrogen in reasonable sized tanks, it must be stored either underpressure, at low temperature, or both. Unfortunately, it takes energy tocreate high pressures and low temperatures. Thus, the overall efficiencyand cost effectiveness of producing and storing hydrogen is reduced.

In order to overcome the hydrogen storage problem, it has been foundthat hydrogen can be stored in a solid form via "rechargeable" metalhydrides, such as iron-titanium-manganese (Fe44Ti55Mn5) alloy,mischmetal-nickel aluminum hydriding (Mn0.97Ni4.5Al0.5) alloy, and thelike. This can best be described by the reversible chemical reaction ofa solid metal hydride(Me) with gaseous hydrogen (H2) to form a solidmetal hydride (MeH x): ##EQU3##

The forward or exothermic reaction is characteristic of the charging(absorption) of hydrogen to the hydride while the reverse or endothermicreaction is the discharging (desorption) of hydrogen from the metalhydride. Among the many advantages of hydrogen storage via a metalhydriding alloy, the most significant is the low charging anddischarging pressures required to hydride which lessens the risk ofleakage and explosion associated with storing hydrogen as a compressedgas.

When examining the thermodynamic aspects of the reversiblemetal-hydrogen reaction, it is advantageous to determine the absorptionand desorption properties of metals from pressure-composition isotherms.The abscissa of such isotherms is typically in the form of a hydrogenatoms to metal atoms ratio ("H/M"). FIG. 1 shows the idealabsorption-desorption pressure-composition isotherm for a metal-hydrogensystem where the plateau pressure ("P_(p) ") 30 is shown connectingpoints B and C. Once the plateau pressure is reached, the majority ofthe absorption or desorption of hydrogen takes place at this constantpressure P_(p). The curves connecting points A and B as well as points Cand D show that for a large increase or decrease in pressure, the amountof hydrogen absorbed or desorbed is small.

In reality, while such isotherms as shown in FIG. 1 might be achievable,most hydrides deviate from this ideal behavior. In addition to the factthat the plateau region slopes and the boundaries of this region are notas well defined, there also exists hysteresis between absorption anddesorption curves. For ideal hydrides, there is no means by which tomeasure the composition of the hydride when located along the plateaupressure; but the slope in the isotherm for real metals makes findingthe hydrogen to metal ratio as simple as knowing the temperature andpressure of the hydride.

The plateau pressure P_(p) is related to the absolute temperature of thereaction, T_(R), by the Van't Hoff equation: ##EQU4## where ΔH is thechange in enthalpy, ΔS is the change in entropy and R_(u) is theuniversal gas constant. From the Van't Hoff relationship one candetermine the charging and discharging pressures and temperatures of thetank.

In recent years, numerous cars have been designed in order to realize areduction of pollution and noise. Some of these cars have been fueledwith nitrogen oxide and hydrogen, resulting in exhaust containing nocarbon monoxide. Also, some of these cars have been getting drivingforce by loaded storage cells and motors.

However, there are several shortcomings of the cars previously made.First, these cars, which were fueled by hydrogen, have proven to displayreduced driving force due to combusting hydrogen with an internalcombustion engine. Second, regarding the exchange of fuel in the tankwhich stores the hydrogen and the refilling of this tank, there arecurrently serious problems concerning the potential for dangerousexplosions. Third, these cars did not obtain sufficient drivingdistances per tank of fuel. Fourth, a car using a hydrogen fuel cell anda motor could not get enough cell capacity with the prior fuel cellssuch that it was necessary to combine many cells in order to getsufficient power. Finally, the prior fuel cells required a very longtime to charge and their running distances were short.

It has also been previously suggested that in order to most efficientlyuse a fuel cell system for vehicular propulsion, the system should be,preferably, sized so as to provide sufficient power, at a usefulvoltage, for normal continuing operation, or cruising operation, whenutilizing air as the oxidant, and that during peak loads, pure oxygenshould be substituted for air as the oxidant. This allows the fuel cellsystem to be sized for normal low power/air operation, but also toprovide a peak power capacity, at a suitable voltage, significantlygreater than for normal operation, and without any complex changes tothe system. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,829. Inthis prior patent, the water generated by operation of the fuel cell iselectrolyzed during normal operation by the excess electrical capacityof the fuel cell. The electrolysis results in the generation of hydrogenand oxygen gases, which in turn are stored under pressure for use whenrequired at peak power capacity. Although this system does result in thedesired peak power availability, the amount of oxygen which must bestored in order to have adequate peak power capacity is a problem for avehicle for which minimum design weight is desired.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cellpower system for a vehicle with improved peak power capability but withminimized high pressure gas storage requirement. It is yet a furtherobject of the present invention to provide a fuel cell power systemutilizing power created during operation of the vehicle and watergenerated by operation of the fuel cell to generate oxygen and hydrogenfor use during peak power intervals, but wherein the effectiveness ofthe oxidant air is enhanced by enrichment with oxygen so as to reducethe amount of storage capacity required for peak accelerationrequirements. It is yet another and further objective of the presentinvention to provide a fuel cell powered vehicle having improvedefficacy during operation. Other objects and advantages will becomeapparent when considering the following specific description of anexample of the invention.

The present invention provides a novel and useful power device which hasovercome the problems existing in the prior hydrogen fuel cell systemsused for electric cars, including but not limited to reducing exhaustpollution.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a new power device. Morespecifically, it creates hydrogen from supplied water and electricity,which is stored in a storage tank furnished for such storage, so thatthe hydrogen can be used later. An electrolysis-electrical cell thenproduces electric power from the supplied hydrogen and air. Theelectricity created is then converted to power by a power converter.Additionally, this power device has a special feature whereby theelectrical power is created by the hydrogen stored in the abovementioned storage section.

Another feature of the present invention is an electrolysis instrumentfuel cell structured with three layers of platinum electrode, multiplexpolymer membrane and iridium electrode.

Another feature of the present invention is that the storage section ismade of a hydrogen storage alloy.

Another feature of the present invention is that the power convertercontains a motor which acts as a storage cell charged with the powercreated at a fixed rate in the electrolysis-electrical cell and whichsupplies the necessary power at time of acceleration. Also, a controllerwhich controls the charge and discharge of the above mentioned storagecell and controls the rotation speed of the motor and torque isincorporated in this invention.

Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of the structure, will become more apparent upon considerationof the following detailed description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, all of which form a part of this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As discussed previously, this invention relates generally to a new powerdevice. More specifically, it creates hydrogen from supplied water andelectricity. This hydrogen is then used in combination with air in anelectrolysis-electrical cell to produce electric power. This isaccomplished by first storing the hydrogen in a storage tank or sectionfurnished for such storage. Next, a power converter device converts theelectricity, which is created in the above mentionedelectrolysis-electrical cell, to power. Additionally, the power deviceof the present invention has a special feature whereby the electricalpower is created from the hydrogen stored in the above mentioned storagetank. Further, this invention relates to a method and apparatus forconverting energy to hydrogen gas and the storage of the hydrogen gasin, for example, metal alloy hydride storage tanks.

In an effort to overcome the numerous disadvantages associated with theproduction and storage of hydrogen gas generated from alternate energysources, the present invention utilizes a novel apparatus forefficiently producing and storing hydrogen fuel which can be used as anenvironmentally-safe fuel for both heating and electric powergeneration, especially for automobiles.

The present invention primarily is comprised of four components. First,an energy source, such as a photovoltaic array to convert solar energyto electrical power, a windmill used to collect wind power and convertit to electrical power, and the like. Second, a compressor whichsupplies the electrolysis-fuel cell with oxygen from the atmosphere andhydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank. Third, a hydrogen storagedevice, such as a solid metallic alloy hydride which stores hydrogenthrough a reversible chemical process. Fourth, a hydrogen consumptiondevice, such as an electrolysis-fuel cell which consumes the hydrogenreleased from the tanks (using a heat exchange process) to provideelectricity which powers a motor.

An important feature of the present invention is matching thespecifications of the electrolyzer to the hydriding and dehydridingreactions occurring with the metal hydride to allow the system tooperate at sufficiently low pressures (near ambient) and therebyeliminate the need for holding the system under pressure.

The hydrogen produced is stored as a solid hydride when not in use,which eliminates the inconveniences and hazards associated with storinghydrogen as a compressed gas. Operating the solid hydride storage systemand electrolyzer at low pressures lessens the chance of leakage andexplosion, allows simpler sealing configurations, allows for the use ofless expensive construction materials, lessens the chance of structuralfatigue, allows for easy assembly of the entire system, and eliminatescompressor pulsations and/or vibrations which can cause structuraldamage and leakage.

A significant advantage of the system is that hydrogen is produced in asteady supply using only air, water and either solar energy, wind power,or the like, which are practically inexhaustible.

An attractive aspect of the use of photovoltaic energy in the formationof hydrogen fuel is that hydrogen is environmentally benign. It can beburned in air without producing excessive amounts of greenhouse gases orother pollutants attributed to hydrocarbon or fossil fuels. Hydrogen canalso be used to power a fuel cell to generate electricity directly, withthe only by-product being water. The present invention can thusdemonstrate the potential of hydrogen fuel as an alternate source ofenergy when produced in this safe and clean manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained byreference to a preferred embodiment set forth in the illustrations ofthe accompanying drawing. Although the illustrated embodiment is merelyexemplary of systems for carrying out the present invention, both theorganization and method of operation of the invention, in general,together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be moreeasily understood by reference to the drawings and the followingdescription. The drawing is not intended to limit the scope of thisinvention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims asappended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplifythe invention.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plot showing the ideal absorption-desorptionpressure-composition isotherm for a metal-hydrogen system.

FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of the process by which the power device ofthe present invention creates power, demonstrating the structuralpractice of the acceleration power of the hydrogen fuel cell automobile.

FIG. 3 shows the electrolysis-fuel cell of the present inventionfunctioning as electrolysis, i.e., the producing of chemical changes bythe passage of an electric current through an electrolyte, a nonmetallicelectric conductor in which current is carried by the movement of ions,or a substance that when dissolved in a suitable solvent or when fusedbecomes an ionic conductor.

FIG. 4 shows the electrolysis-fuel cell of the present inventionfunctioning as a fuel cell which produces the power to propel theautomobile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following presents a detailed description of a preferred embodimentof the present invention. As discussed above, this invention relatesgenerally to a power device for use in hydrogen fuel cell cars. Morespecifically, the present invention discloses a novel power device whichwill not create any environmentally polluting exhaust (i.e., it does notemit any carbon dioxide), and is extremely efficient, long lasting,quiet and inexpensive to produce. Also, the device of the presentinvention does not require a large area and there is no concern aboutexplosion. Additionally, this power device can replace the use of gasand electricity as the source of power in homes, factories, hotels, etc.

The method and device of the present invention creates hydrogen fromsupplied water and electricity, and an electrolysis-electrical cellsection produces electric power from the supplied hydrogen and air. Thehydrogen is then stored in a storage section furnished for such storage,while a power section converts the electricity created in the abovementioned electrolysis-electrical cell to power which propells the car.

The power device of the present invention has several special featureswhich are vast improvements over the existing designs. First, theelectrical power is created by the hydrogen stored in the abovementioned storage section. Second, the electrolysis instrument fuel cellis structured with three layers, a platinum electrode, a multiplexpolymer membrane and an iridium electrode. Third, the storage section ofthe power device of the present invention is made of a hydrogen storagemetal alloy. Fourth, the power section contains a motor which is astorage cell charged with the power created at a fixed rate in theelectrolysis-electrical cell and supplies necessary power at the time ofacceleration, and a controller that controls a charge and discharge ofthe above mentioned storage cell and controls the rotation speed of themotor and its torque.

With the above mentioned structures of storing hydrogen created fromsupplied water and electricity, the power device of the presentinvention can generate power from the electricity created by the storedhydrogen and the supplied air. For instance, with the above structure, adangerous hydrogen fuel tank exchange or refill of hydrogen would not benecessary, and with a one time charge, a hydrogen fuel cell car that hasenough driving distance can be offered.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention explains the hydrogen fuel cell power device in detail whilereferencing the detailed drawings. Referring first to FIG. 2, shown is ablock diagram of the structural practice of the motor lineage of thepower device of the present invention. The present invention primarilycomprises four components. First is an energy source, such as aphotovoltaic array to convert solar energy to electrical power, awindmill used to collect wind power and convert it to electrical power,and the like. Second is compressor 14 which supplies theelectrolysis-fuel cell 10 with oxygen from the atmosphere and hydrogenfrom the hydrogen storage tank 12. Third is a hydrogen storage tank 12,such as a solid metallic alloy hydride which stores hydrogen through areversible chemical process. Fourth is a hydrogen consumption device,such as electrolysis-fuel cell 10 which consumes the hydrogen releasedfrom the hydrogen storage tank 12 (using heat exchanger 5a) to provideelectricity which powers motor 18, which, for example, can propel a car.The process of the present invention is described in further detailbelow.

Initially, water enters the electrolysis fuel cell 10, and inconjunction with a supplied single electric charge, electricallydisintegrates the supplied water to create hydrogen and oxygen.

The hydrogen, which is stored in the hydrogen storage tank 12, and theoxygen, taken from air in the atmosphere, are supplied to theelectrolysis-fuel cell 10 by compressor 14, which work together tocreate the power of the device. In turn, this power propells motor 18thereby generating moving power.

In sum, the power device of the present invention provides power topractical applications, such as electric cars, by efficiently creatingelectrical power from hydrogen fuel and a small, light electrolysis fuelcell. Additionally, the hydrogen storage tank 12 is structured withhydrogen storage alloys, such as titanium-iron alloy or lanthanum-nickelalloy, but is not limited to these alloys. However, the alloys arelimited to those with a high hydrogen adsorption coefficient at lowtemperatures and to those which are not micro-pulverized by the hydrogenadsorption. This is important so that the storage of the hydrogen canlast for an extended period of time, and so that the hydrogen storagetank 12 does not have to be replaced often.

Also, temperature control is crucial to the storing of hydrogen in thehydrogen storage tank 12, the removal of hydrogen from the hydrogenstorage tank 12, the electrical solving at electrolysis-fuel cell 10 andthe efficient creation of electric power. This temperature control ofthe hydrogen storage tank 12 and electrolysis-fuel cell 10 isaccomplished with thermoelectrical heat pump 5b and heat exchanger 5a ina cooling loop. Furthermore, the storage rate can be raised by coolingthe hydrogen storage alloy used when sending hydrogen to the hydrogenstorage tank 12. Additionally, since the hydrogen storage alloy heats upwhen taking hydrogen out of the hydrogen storage tank 12, cooling isimportant at this stage to maintain efficiency.

Next, controller 16 controls the turning speed and torque of motor 18.Controller 16 contains a storage cell for accelerating time. Thisstorage cell supplements a part of the electric power that motor 18needs at the time of acceleration and charging at the time of fixedspeed of the enforced practice. Also, the power device of the presentinvention exhausts oxygen resulting from the electrically resolved waterat the time the hydrogen is supplied. A small amount of water resultsfrom the oxidation reaction at the time of the creation of the electricpower. Heat is also generated from motor 18. However, this exhaust andheat emission is very small compared to a conventional car with aninternal combustion engine.

The electrolysis fuel cell 10 of FIG. 2 uses a solid polymerelectrolytic cell. Since a general polymer electrolytic cell has a lowpower to weight ratio and is not practical for this use, the presentinvention uses a polymer electrolytic cell with an elevated celldensity, which is created by a laser. Here, the power to weight ratio ofthe solid polymer electrolytic cell is higher than a gasoline engine andits peak electrical current reaches 1,000 Amperes. If a large hydrogenstorage tank 12 is used, with a one time charge, it is possible to runmore than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge.

Referring next to FIG. 3, shown is the electrolysis-fuel cell of thepresent invention functioning as an electrolysis process. The drawingshows a multiplex polymer membrane 21, the negative pole 22 made ofplatinum to prevent oxidation, and the positive pole 23 made of aniridium membrane to reduce loss of oxygen by over voltage, which executethe function of the electrolytic fluid.

In this process, water is supplied to the positive pole 23 andelectricity is supplied to the region between the positive pole 23 andnegative pole 22. The electricity causes hydrogen ions from the suppliedwater to move toward the negative pole 22. This results in the creationof hydrogen at the negative pole 22 and oxygen at the positive pole 23.Furthermore, any form of electricity, such as that used for householdpurposes, will produce the desired results as previously mentioned.However, "midnight" electricity reduces the cost of creating thehydrogen fuel in the process of the present invention. Also, regardingthe supplied water, any water source will suffice for the presentinvention to work, however water in which harmful ions have been removedby an ion removing cartridge produces the best results.

Furthermore, the created hydrogen must be cooled before being stored forlater use. This is accomplished at the heat exchanger 5a, whereby thehydrogen is sent to the hydrogen storage tank 12 via compressor 14 aftergoing through a water remover (not shown) and an oxygen remover (notshown).

Finally, referring to FIG. 4, shown is the electrolysis-fuel cell of thepresent invention functioning as a fuel cell. This figure demonstratesthat when oxygen is supplied to the negative pole 32 and hydrogen issupplied to the positive pole 33, oxidation occurs and electric power isgenerated by the electrode. The reaction is as follows: ##EQU5##According to the above described system of the present invention, thecreation of electricity is conducted through the formation of water,with electrons being created in the positive pole 33. Furthermore, thevoltage occurrence changes according to the current density of theelectricity created, but ranges from about 0.75 V to about 1.0 V percell. With the present invention, connecting several hundred cells inseries creates the necessary voltage for optimal efficiency in theoperation of the fuel cell.

Additionally, referring back to FIG. 1, when creating electric powerwith the electrolysis fuel cell 10, it is important to maintain energyefficiency by exhausting the heat that was created in the electrolysisfuel cell 10. This exhaustion occurs through the heat exchanger 5a. Asexplained in detail above, according to the present invention, becausehydrogen is created from the supplied water and electricity inelectrolysis fuel cell 10, the dangerous hydrogen fuel tank exchange orrefill processes become obsolete.

Also according to the present invention, by using a small, light weight,high power to weight ratio electrolysis fuel cell 10 for the source ofmoving power, a highly efficient electric charge and discharge can beobtained. Therefore, with one charge, sufficient driving distance, inthe range of 1000 kilometers can be obtained. Furthermore, applicationsof this electrolytic fuel cell are not limited to cars but also can beapplied to boats, trains and airplanes, or for cooling, heating and homeelectrical power uses.

Also according to the present invention, the storage of hydrogen createdfrom the supplied water and electricity, and the creation of electricpower from this stored hydrogen and supplied air, this power devicegenerates electric power which can power a variety of different machinessuch as automobiles, boats, etc., as well as entire homes, stores,schools, hotels, factories, etc. Therefore, with this invention, thedangerous exchange of hydrogen fuel tanks and hydrogen refills becomeunnecessary, and a hydrogen fuel cell car, boat, etc., which has a largetraveling distance with a one time electrical charge can be offered.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one ormore preferred embodiments, such embodiments are merely exemplary andare not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumerationof all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore,shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will beapparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be madein such details without departing from the spirit and the principles ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power device for creating power from water andelectricity, said power device comprising:an energy source; a hydrogenstorage device; an electrolysis-fuel cell; and a compressor; whereinsaid electrolysis-fuel cell receives oxygen from said compressor,hydrogen from said hydrogen storage device, water from an externalsource and an electric charge from said energy source; wherein saidelectrolysis-fuel cell electrically disintegrates said water intohydrogen and oxygen; wherein said hydrogen is stored in said hydrogenstorage device and said oxygen is purged from said electrolysis-fuelcell as exhaust; and wherein said electrolysis-fuel cell combines saidhydrogen with air in said electrolysis-fuel cell to produce electricpower.
 2. A power device according to claim 1, wherein said power devicefurther comprises a heat exchanger, wherein said heat exchanger controlsthe temperature of said hydrogen storage device and said hydrogenconsumption device.
 3. A power device according to claim 2, wherein saidpower device further comprises a controller, wherein said controllercontrols the power sent to the motor of the machine to be powered.
 4. Apower device according to claim 1, wherein said hydrogen storage deviceis a metal alloy hydride storage tank.
 5. A power device according toclaim 1, wherein said energy source is a photovoltaic array whichconverts solar energy to electrical power.
 6. A power device accordingto claim 1 wherein said electrolysis-fuel cell comprises a solid polymerelectrolyte cell.
 7. A method for generating power using anelectrolysis-fuel cell in which hydrogen is created from water and anelectric charge, said method comprising the following steps:supplyingwater and an electric charge to said electrolysis-fuel cell;electrically disintegrating said water into hydrogen and oxygen; storingsaid hydrogen in a hydrogen storage device; and combining said hydrogenwith air to generate said power; wherein a compressor supplies saidelectrolysis-fuel cell with said oxygen; wherein said compressortransfers said hydrogen from said hydrogen storage device to saidelectrolysis-fuel cell; wherein a water source supplies saidelectrolysis-fuel cell with said water; and wherein an energy sourcesupplies said electrolysis-fuel cell with said electric charge.
 8. Amethod for generating power according to claim 7, wherein said methodfurther comprises the step of:controlling the temperature of saidhydrogen storage device and said electrolysis-fuel cell.
 9. A method forgenerating power according to claim 8, wherein said controlling isperformed by a heat exchanger.
 10. A method for generating poweraccording to claim 7, wherein said method further comprises the stepof:controlling the power sent to the motor of the machine being powered.11. A method for generating power according to claim 10, wherein saidcontrolling is performed by a controller.
 12. A method for generatingpower according to claim 7, wherein said hydrogen storage device is ametal alloy hydride storage tank.
 13. A method for generating poweraccording to claim 7, wherein said energy source is a photovoltaic arraywhich converts solar energy to electrical power.
 14. A power devicecomprising:an energy source; a water source; an electrolysis-fuel cell;a hydrogen storage device; and a compressor, wherein an electric chargefrom said energy source and water from said water source are provided tosaid electrolysis-fuel cell; wherein said electrolysis-fuel cellelectrically disintegrates said water into hydrogen and oxygen, therebyproviding hydrogen to said hydrogen storage device; and wherein hydrogenfrom said hydrogen storage device and oxygen from the atmosphere areprovided to said electrolysis-fuel cell through said compressor, therebycreating electric power, water which is extracted as exhaust andhydrogen which is provided to said hydrogen storage device.
 15. A powerdevice according to claim 14, wherein said power device furthercomprises a heat exchanger, wherein said heat exchanger controls thetemperature of said hydrogen storage device and said electrolysis-fuelcell.
 16. A power device according to claim 15, wherein said powerdevice further comprises a controller, wherein said controller controlsthe power sent to the motor of the machine to be powered.
 17. A powerdevice according to claim 14, wherein said hydrogen storage device is ametal alloy hydride storage tank.
 18. A power device according to claim14, wherein said energy source is a photovolatic array which convertssolar energy to electrical power.
 19. A power device according to claim14 wherein said electrolysis-fuel cell comprises a solid polymerelectrolyte cell.